SACRAMENTO, Calif. — If not for the NBA lockout, the Sacramento Kings would have opened their season Wednesday at Power Balance Pavilion.Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday he sent a letter to the NBA and the players association encouraging them to reach a deal.“We just wanted to remind them that there are people in our cities that expect wages from these jobs and there’s a business community that has an economic impact, and when the season doesn’t go forward it’s not just about owners and players,” Johnson said during his weekly news conference.NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first month of the season last week.Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement collapsed last week and there are no future talks in the works.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — Yet another Sacramento Kings basketball game originally scheduled for Wednesday night has been cancelled due to the ongoing labor dispute in the National Basketball Association.However, that does not mean Sacramento Kings officials are sitting idly by.Starting Wednesday night, the Kings are beginning a slate of “fan appreciation” events to keep basketball fans engaged.“We’ve always been fortunate to enjoy a special relationship with this community,” said Matina Kolokotronis, president of Business Operations for the Sacramento Kings, in a news release. “Maintaining our bond with season ticket holders and loyal fans remains our top priority, and these events are another avenue to express our appreciation for their patience and understanding during this process.”The events begin with a free showing of “The Wayman Tisdale Story” documentary at 7 p.m. at Power Balance Pavilion.Parking is also free Wednesday night’s movie, according to the team’s website.Kings officials have also scheduled the first annual Doug Christie Fun Run, along with a Halloween costume contest on Saturday.If the lockout persists, other events include more movies, tours, fitness sessions, basketball tournaments and a show by performance artist David Garibaldi.